E-pass introduced for mainlanders travelling to Taiwan

BEIJING, Dec. 21 -- A new electronic travel permit will be introduced for mainlanders who travel to Taiwan, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Public Security.

Starting from Dec. 26, eastern China's Fujian Province will act as a pilot province to accept applications for an e-pass to Taiwan, and will stop issuing the current booklet-like Taiwan pass, the circular said.

The validity of the e-pass will be extended to 10 years for adults, and to five years for people under 16, it said.

People who apply for the e-pass for Taiwan should also leave their fingerprints, it added.